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The winner of online talent search The Pop Stage was accused of plagiarizing musical arrangements and concepts from Ang Huling El Bimbo, the jukebox musical based on the music of OPM rock icons The Eraserheads.
On the competition’s grand finals night streamed on July 26, CJ Villavicencio performed a medley of Eraserheads songs including “Alapaap,” “Huwag kang matakot,” “Ligaya,” and “Pare Ko.” His performance was filmed in various locations, with CJ playing the role of a working student.
Following the performance, on August 2, CJ was named the competition’s grand champion, winning P1 million and a 1-year contract with Viva Artists Agency.
On the same day, Ang Huling El Bimbo musical director Myke Salomon tweeted saying “a guy copied/ ripped off our musical arrangements for [Ang Huling El Bimbo the Musical] (musical treatment, concept) without permission won in that pop stage contest for his final round…I feel bad for the other contestants.”
On August 3, the musical’s associate choreographer and dance captain Stephen Vinas posted a video playing CJ’s performance alongside audio from the musical, showing how the musical arrangements are nearly identical.
At the same time, musical arranger and theater actor Jef Flores, a friend to many of the cast members of Ang Huling El Bimbo, also posted a video breaking down CJ’s performance. In the video, Jef pointed out the similarities between CJ’s video and the musical version – including near-identical guitar riffs, key changes, and backing vocals.
Jef also included screenshots of a since-deleted Facebook post, where CJ shared his performance and thanked Ang Huling El Bimbo “for the inspiration.” The original post apparently did not mention Ang Huling El Bimbo, according to its edit history.
As of this writing, Villavicencio and The Pop Stage have yet to respond to the plagiarism accusations. Popeyes, which sponsored the online talent search, has also yet to respond to the allegations.
However, The Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia weighed in on the issue, stressing that being inspired by a work is different to copying it.
Sharing Jef’s video on Facebook on August 3, Ely said that the musical’s version of “Pare Ko” was “the most striking and original renditions” he had seen during the show’s original run.
“It took something old and was INSPIRED to make it NEW and FRESH. Therein lies the difference. Which is why it is disheartening that there is still a culture out there, not just in entertainment, that somehow makes it okay to take credit, and be rewarded for someone else’s work.,” he said.
“I am disappointed for all the AHEB crew because I know for a fact that they poured all their hearts and souls into creating something that was true to the material and their craft.” Ely said.
He ended his post by saying that he hopes the matter is resolved soon and that “credit is given to those who deserve it.” – Rappler.com
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